Apparatus for displaying information,particularly for exhibiting advertisements



y 1969 E. LANDENBERGER 3,456,771

APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION, PARTICULARLY FOR EXHIBITINGADVERTISEMENTS Filed Feb. 24, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WKW3,456,771 APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING INFORMA- TION, PARTICULARLY FOREXHIBITING ADVERTISEMENTS Eugen Landenberger, St. Georgenstrasse 159,

Saint Gall, Switzerland Filed Feb. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 618,357 Claimspriority, application Switzerland, Feb. 28, 1966, 2,877/ 66 Int. Cl.G07f 17/16; G03b U.S. Cl. 194-12 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Anapparatus for displaying all types of information, particularly forexhibiting advertisements, wherein there are provided a plurality ofdisplay compartments having associated with each such displaycompartment an individual locking means. The locking means of eachdisplay compartment is controlled by an electric circuit means which,upon expiration of a minimum predetermined period of time of occupancyof each display compartment and upon insertion of a coin in theapparatus, opens that display compartment which has been used for thelongest period. Further, the apparatus is equipped with indicating meanswhich indicate When at least one display'compartment is unoccupied andalso when all of the display compartments are occupied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention has reference to animproved apparatus for displaying information of the most varied typeand form, particularly for exhibiting advertisements or the like,wherein the apparatus is coin-controlled and provided with a pluralityof display compartments each adapted to receive an adveitisement. It isto be specifically understood that the term advertisement as employedherein is used in its broadest sense, and therefore, is intended toencompass almost all types of subject matter and information, whether inworded or pictorial form, and generally can be considered broadly as anytype of information which the exhibitor wishes to communicate to personsviewing the apparatus.

Now, it is well known to provide a so-called bulletin board or noticeboard in industrial buildings, warehouses, ofiice buildings,administration buildings and so forth at a central location which ispassed by a great many people for the purpose of displaying all kinds ofadvertisements and messages, such as sales offers, purchasing olfers,rental offers, club notices and the like. However, such known type ofapparatus possesses different drawbacks. For instance, if there isinsufiicient space left at the bulletin board advertisements which havepreviously been posted are oftentimes randomly and indiscriminatelyprematurely covered over or removed, or advertisements which have becomeoutdated are still posted for a considerable length of time. In anyevent, it is extremely difficult to maintain any semblance of order withregard to the posting of such advertisements, and further, theappearance of such a randomly and indiscriminately used bulletin boardleaves much to be desired. Of course, the possibility exists ofenclosing the bulletin board as a unit in a glass cabinet. However, ifthis is done then there will be required a continuous supervision of thecabinet if its purpose is to be satisfactorily fulfilled.

An apparatus has been proposed which has a number of displaycompartments into which there can be inserted advertisements which areto be exhibited. Now, in order to increase the handling capacity of suchapparatus two movable holding elements for the advertisements are niteclStates Patent arranged in each display compartment and can bealternately pivoted into the viewing zone of the compartment by a commondrive through the agency of a mechanical gear unit. Consequently, one ofthe two advertisements placed in a compartment always remains hiddenfrom the viewers. Apart from this drawback none of the known proposalsprovides a solution for the requirement that each user be guaranteedthat his advertisement will remain in the apparatus during apredetermined, minimum period of time and will not be prematurelyreplaced by the advertisement of another user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of thepresent invention to provide an improved apparatus of the mentioned typewhich overcomes the disadvantages of the known bulletin boards orbulletin cabinets, and further, overcomes the drawbacks of thepreviously mentioned prior art apparatus structure.

Another object of this invention concerns an improved apparatus fordisplaying advertisements which provides a desired supplementation tothe other advertising possibilities, such as newspaper advertisements orthe like, and which also can be employed in public places in the Open,at railroad stations and so forth, and therefore, is acces sible for alarger circle of persons.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates toan improved apparatus for exhibiting advertisements or the like whichinsures that the exhibitor will have his advertisement unquestionablyexhibited for a predetermined minimum period of time and guaranteesagainst unauthorized removal of such advertisement until such prescribedtime has expired.

Yet a further noteworthy object of the present invention relates to animproved apparatus for displaying advertisements in most any form andwherein the apparatus is extremely simple to use, completely reliable inoperation, prevents tampering with advertisements which have been placedin the apparatus, and makes absolutely certain that any advertisementwhich has been placed in the apparatus will remain displayed for apredetermined minimum period of time.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of theinvention which will become more readily apparent as the descriptionproceeds, the inventive apparatus for the display of information,particularly worded or pictorial advertisements and which is coinoperated advantageously comprises a plurality of display compartmentseach adapted to receive an advertisement. According to one veryimportant aspect of the invention the inventive apparatus is providedwith controllable individual locking means for the purpose of openingthe display compartments, and further, each display compartment isprovided with individual time-controlled switch means which begin to runupon the new occupancy of the asso ciated display compartment. Further,the control means for unlocking or releasing the locking means isdependent upon the expiration of a predetermined minimum period of timeof occupancy of the associated display compartment and further upon theinsertion of a coin at a coin collecting device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS inventive apparatus provided with theplurality of display or viewing compartments;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a single displaycompartment and depicting the associated locking means; and

FIGURE 3 is an electric circuit diagram for the electric control of theapparatus of FIGURES 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Describing now the drawings,and, in particular, turning attention to FIGURE 1 it will be recognizedthat the exemplary illustrated embodiment of display apparatusincorporates a casing or carrier frame having an area equipped with aplurality of schematically depicted viewing or display compartments 12.These display compartments 12 serve to receive information which is tobe displayed, such as worded or pictorial advertisements 14, as has beenillustrated for a number of these display compartments. Further, it willbe recognized that the display compartments 12 are secured in a uniformor regular arrangement at the carrier frame 10 and can be individuallyopened and closed for the purpose of exchanging the advertisements.However, opening of the display compartments 12 cannot be performed atrandom by the users, rather to do so two conditions must be fulfilled:In order that a certain display compartment 12 can be newly occupied apredetermined minimum period of time since its last occupancy must haveexpired, and it is further necessary to insert a required coin at aninsert slot 22 provided at the casing or frame 10.

By means of a control which will be more fully described hereinafter andwhich is in operable association with the individual locking mechanismfor the display compartments 12, a display compartment whose minimumtime, as explained above, has expired will be automatically opened afterinsertion of the coin. Apart from the instructions which are arranged atthe casing or frame 10 there are also arranged thereat two signal orindicating lamps 24 and 26. Now, either the lamp 24 is illuminated,which indicates to the user that all of the display compartments 12 areoccupied, or the lamp 26 is illuminated, which indicates that for atleast one of the display compartments 12 the aforementioned minimum timehas expired. These lamps 24 and 26 are preferably provided with anappropriate illuminated writing such as Compartments occupied andCompartment free, respective1y.

The frame 10 together with the front of the display compartments 12forms the cover of a non-illustrated housing in which there isaccommodated the control mechanism, the electric supply component, thecoin collecting box and so forth. The apparatus can be erected in abuilding or in the open, lowered into the corner of a brickwork, orerected at a wall, or also standing freely upon a pedestal or the like.By means of a lock 16 and the hinges 18 it is possible to open and pivotthe frame unit 10 which together with the aforementioned front of thedisplay compartments forms the cover, and this for the purpose ofservicing the apparatus.

FIGURE 2 depicts a vertical sectional view through a single display orviewing compartment 12. The latter is formed by a housing 30 ofrelatively shallow depth which serves to receive the advertisement 14.This housing 30 is closed at the front by a frame 32 carrying aninserted glass plate 34. The frame 32 is pivotably mounted at thehousing 30 at its lower edge by means of a shaft 36. At the upper edgeof the frame 32 and at approximately the middle thereof there is secureda lock which, as shown, in the locked condition of the frame 32piercingly extends towards the rear through an opening 30a provided atthe floor of the housing 30 and is operably connected with a pawl 42 orequivalent expedient. This pawl 42 forms the armature of a releasemagnet A which is secured to the rear wall of the housing 30. Pawl 42 ishingedly connected at location 44 and I constructed as a hinged armaturewhich actuates the work contact a when the magnet A is excited orenergized.

Now, if the pawl 42 is attracted by the magnet A then the lockingelement 40 is released, and consequently, also the frame 32. The lattertilts into the phantom line open position, as shown in FIGURE 2, underthe action of a spring 38 or the like. In this position of the frame 32the previously inserted advertisement 14 can be removed and replaced bya new advertisement. Thereafter, if the frame 32 is manually closed thelocking element 40 slides over the pawl 42 which is then pusheddownwardly and, with a non-excited state 'of the magnet A, momentarilyactuates the contact a, as will be more fully developed hereinafter.

All of the display compartments 12 are similarly constructed andequipped with the previously considered individual locking elements ormeans. The display compartments 12 fill the surface or area of the frame10 and can be secured to a rearward mounting grid or plate 46 asexchangeable units.

Directing attention now to FIGURE 3, here there is shown the electriccircuit diagram for the electric control of the apparatus according toFIGURES 1 and 2. Purely by way of illustration there has been assumedthat one hundred display compartments 12 are provided and that theminimum period of occupancy for the individual compartments amounts toseven days. Naturally, the number of compartments and the minimum timeof occupancy can be differently selected, depending upon requirements.

Further, it is to be understood that the associated switching componentsand the electric circuitry for the display compartments 12 are the samefor all compartments. To preserve clarity in illustration, FIGURE 3 onlydepicts the circuitry for the display compartments 1, 2, 3 and 100.Additionally, different central switching components are provided whichare common to all display compartments 12, as such has been shown in thearea Z of FIGURE 3. Apart from each display compartment 12 beingequipped with the release magnet A having the contact a, there is alsoassociated with each display compar-tment 12 a relay B having two workcontacts b1 and b2 and a rest contact b3, as well as a step-by-stepswitch means C. This stepping or step-by-step switch means C possesses acontact arm 0 for the nine steps or increments per revolution.

The central switching arrangement Z embodies a onehundred positionalstep-by-step switch means D having a switching arm d, a one-hundredpositional manual selector switch means J, a push button K, the coininsert or collector device F with the coin contact 1, an auxiliary relayE provided with a work contact e1 and a makeand-break contact e2, bothof the signal or indicating lamps 24 and 26 previously discussed withregard to FIGURE 1, as well as a timing pulse generator G with theimpulse contact g. The contacts b1 of all relays are electricallycoupled one after the other, i.e. in succession, with the associatedcontact lamella or blade at the step-by-step switch means D.Furthermore, the windings of all of the release magnets A are connectedto the relevant contact lamellae or blades of the manual selectionswitch means J. These electrical connections have been shown for thesecond display compartment 12 which in FIGURE 3 bears the legend 2, andto preserve clarity in the circuit diagram such connections have onlybeen schematically indicated for the remaining depicted displaycompartments. The contacts b2 of all relays B are coupled by theconductor 54a with one another and via the further conductor 54 with thewinding or coil of the relay E. The conductor 52 which leads away fromthe timing pulse contact g of the timing pulse generator G is connectedvia a cross-conductor or connection 52a to all contacts b3, as shown.

It is further to be appreciated that FIGURE 3 depicts the apparatus inthe rest condition in which the minimum period of occupancy has notexpired for any of the display compartments 12. In this condition all ofthe relays and magnets are without current, and the indicating lamp 24is supplied with current via the contact e2 which is in the restposition, so that this indicating lamp 24 will indicate that no displaycompartment 12 is available for the reception of a new advertisement. Ablocking element 50 which is under the action of the relay E serves toblock the coin insert slot 22, so that there is positively prevented themistaken insertion of a coin into the apparatus during such time as allof the display compartments 12 thereof are completely occupied.

At the timing pulse generator G the contact g is periodically actuatedonce each day, preferably in each instance at 12 noon. These timingpulses arrive via the conductors 52, 52a at all of the displaycompartments 12, and then from this location arrive at the magneticswitch means C through the agency of the associated contact b3. As aresult, the switching amis c of all of the time-controlled magneticstepping switch means C are moved or indexed one step or increment. Uponcompletion of one revolution of the switching arm c the relevant orassociated relay B is energized. With the situation basically depictedby the circuit diagram of FIGURE 3 such is the case for the seconddisplay compartment 12, hearing reference numeral 2 in the upper lefthand corner, when the next timing pulse is delivered, whereby itsminimum period of occupancy has expired. By actuating the contacts ofthe relevant relay B the further conducting of timing impulses to theassociated magnetic switching means C is interrupted by means of therest contact b3, and by means of the working contact b2 thereof and theconductor 54 the relay E is energized. In so doing, the make-and-breakcontact e2 extinguishes the signal lamp 24 and ignites the signal lamp26, so that at the outside of the apparatus it is indicated that atleast one display compartment 12 of the one-hundred providedcompartments is available for a new occupancy or insertion of a newadvertisement. At the same time the relay E actuates the blocking member50, whereby the coin insert slot 22 is freed. In the event the freesecond display compartment 12 is not directly thereafter used it ispossible, after sending further timing pulses, that also the thirddisplay compartment 12, hearing reference numeral 3 in the upper lefthand corner thereof, and subsequent display compartments will becomefree for a new occupancy, and which in each case will be manifested bythe excitation of the relevant or associated relay B, but will not befurther recognizable from the outside.

Now, if the user wishes to make use of a free display compartment andinserts the proper denomination of coin in the coin insert slot 22 thenthe coin contact 1 will be momentarily or periodically actuated.Consequently, the magnetic step-by-step switch means D receives animpulse from contact e1 via the contact 1 and indexes the switching arma! one further step. As a result, in the second display compartment 12the release magnet A is energized through the agency of the switchingarm d and the contact b1. This release magnet A attracts the pawl 42which, in turn, releases the locking element 40 so that this displaycompartment opens. At the same time the contact a is also actuated,whereby the stepping switch means C is energized so as to index theswitching arm 0 through one further step. When this happens the relay Bis no longer supplied with current and, as a result, excitation of themagnet A is also interrupted at the contact b1. Now, the relay E isde-energized in the event no other display compartments 12 are free andwhich, if such were the case, could maintain the relay E energized bymeans of the associated contact b2. Next, the user removes the oldadvertisement 14 from the opened display compartment and replaces suchwith a new advertisement or the like. Thereafter, he merely closes thisdisplay compartment manually, whereby the locking element 40 slides overthe pawl 42, pushing the latter downwardly so that the contact a onceagain is momentarily actuated in impulse-like manner. This brings aboutthe advance of the switching arm c through one further step, so that itnow occupies the second step position. The stepping switch means C nowonce again receives the impulses from the impulse contact g via theassociated contact b3. Only after the switching arm 0 has received sevendaily impulses, that is, after the minimum period of occupancy for thesecond display compartment has expired, does the switching arm 0 againarrive at the ninth position where it energizes the associated relay B.

From what has been previously developed it follows that the occupancy ofthe display compartments always takes place in a sequence whichcorresponds to the sequence in which they are connected to thestep-by-step selector switch means D. Consequently, the release oropening of these display compartments 12 through excitation of theassociated relay B also takes place in the same sequence. If displaycompartments whose minimum period of occupancy has expired are notimmediately again used then they still remain closed and the relevantadvertisements or the like will still be displayed beyond the minimumperiod of time. Now, when there is need for use of one of the displaycompartments then always that display compartment which has beenoccupied for the longest period of time will first be opened, in otherwords, that display compartment is opened whose minimum period ofoccupancy has already expired for the longest period of time.

The manual selection switch means I and the push button K are onlyaccessible for a maintenance personnel when the apparatus is opened.This arrangement enables the maintenance personnel, when a situationrequires, to open any given display compartment by appropriately settingthe manual selection switch means I and then actuating the push buttonK. Further, it should be appreciated that it is also possible to haveany number of individual display compartments reserved for continuoususe, in which event the automatic control of such display compartment orcompartments is interrupted.

Naturally, numerous modifications will readily suggest themselves tothose skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiment of inventiveapparatus. For instance, instead of the relay B it would be possible toprovide a selection or stepping switch means C having a plurality ofswitching arms. Further, instead of a common or central timing pulsegenerator G it would of course also be possible to provide for eachdisplay compartment an individual timing counter or clockwork. Thecomponents I and K could also be dispensed with, in that the displaycompartments 12 could also be manually opened from the rear by actuatingthe associated pawl 42. Finally, it is conceivable to provide differentgroups of display compartments with ditferent periods of occupancy or toform them of different shapes, whereby the required coin denominationcan be appropriately apportioned or graduated.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for displaying information, particularly for exhibitingadvertisements in worded or pictorial form, comprising:

a plurality of display compartments each adapted to receive anadvertisement,

coin collector means operably associated with said display compartments,

controllable individual locking means provided for locking each displaycompartment and capable f being actuated in order to open the associateddisplay compartment,

electric circuit means cooperating with each of said displaycompartments and their associated individual locking means,

said electric circuit means including individual timing switch means foreach display compartment, means to actuate said timing switch means uponeach locking of the associated display compartment, and control meansfor actuating each of said locking means, operation of said controlmeans being dependent upon the expiration of'a predetermined minimumperiod of time of occupancy of said display compartments as determinedby said timing switch means and upon the insertion of a coin at saidcOin collector means.

2. Apparatus for displaying information, particularly for exhibitingadvertisements in worded or pictorial form as defined in claim 1,wherein said electric circuit means further include indicating meansdependent upon the operation of said individual time-controlled switchmeans for indicating the presence of an unoccupied displa compartmentand the occupancy of all of said display compartments.

3. Apparatus for displaying information particularly for exhibitingadvertisements in worded or pictorial form 1 as defined in claim 1, saidcoin collector means including blocking means for preventing theinsertion of a coin until said predetermined minimum period of time ofoccupancy of at least one display compartment has expired.

4. Apparatus for displaying information, particularly for exhibitingadvertisements in worded or pictorial form as defined in claim 1,wherein each of said individual timing switch means is defined by astepping switch, said electric circuit means further including a centraltiming pulse generator for delivering timing pulses to said individualtiming switch means.

5. Apparatus for displaying information, particularly for exhibitingadvertisements in worded or pictorial form as defined in claim 4,further including means for interrupting the delivery of timing pulsesto each respective stepping switch of each associated displaycompartment as soon as said minimum predetermined period of'time ofoccupancy of the associated display compartment has expired. 7

6. Apparatus for displaying information, particularly for exhibitingadvertisements-in worded or pictorial form as defined in claim 5,wherein said interrupting means incorporates relay means. l a

7. Apparatus for displaying information, particularly for exhibitingadvertisements in worded or pictorial form as defined in claim 4,said'electric circuit means further including a central step-by-stepswitch means with which each of said stepping switches is electricallycoupled in a, sequence corresponding to the occupancy of said displaycompartments. 7 I

8. Apparatus for displaying information, particularly for exhibitingadvertisements in worded or pictorial form as defined in claim .1,wherein said display compartments with associated locking means areconstructed as exchangeable units.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, PrimaryExaminer

